Employers’ association: Post-election focus needs to be jobs, jobs, jobs

Thousands of private jobs have been lost since 2008 and getting them back should be a top priority for the local councils after the elections, says national employers’ association

The number of private jobs in local councils has fallen dramatically in the last four years according to statistics from the national employers' association Dansk Arbejdsgiverforening (DA).

Every fifth job has been lost between 2008 and 2012 and only seven of the 98 councils have seen a positive development in the same period.

According to DA's deputy director, Erik Simonsen, creating jobs should be the top priority when the newly-constituted council boards take over after the local elections on Tuesday. 

"All councils should make creating jobs the number one priority on their agenda,” Simonsen told Berlingske newspaper. “Our survey shows that some councils do better than others when it comes to encouraging business. A way to make improvements is to ensure flexible and unbureaucratic local service." 

Need new strategies
At the bottom of the list is Kerteminde Council, which went from having 8,181 private jobs in 2008 to 4,627 in 2012, a decline of 43.4 percent. Faring much better was Billund Council, with a 8.1 percent rise, as it went from 10,630 to 11,488 jobs.

The mayor of Skive, Flemming Eskildsen (V), said his council – which saw the number of jobs fall 24.7 percent – has been feeling the effects of the severe job loss for years. Eskildsen said the council has long been trying to develop a new strategy to deal with the decline of local businesses, especially in the local furniture industry that once used to drive the local economy.

"We have focused a lot on helping local businesses and we are ready with plans for how new corporations can establish themselves on the market," he told Berlingske. "We are going to win back the 3,000 work places we lost, but we also have to realise that our old furniture mecca is gone and that we have to focus on something else.”

But there are limits to what the individual councils can do to solve the problem, says Simonsen of DA, who sees a need to strengthen partnerships between councils.

"There are too many areas in Denmark where the council is too small compared to the job market it represents. Improved co-operation between the councils could ensure a more appropriate match between mobility among workers and businesses," he said.

TOP STORIES

  • In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    In conversation with Conrad Molden: The man behind the mic

    He’s tickled our funny bone with countless wisecracks and clever wordplay, and in the process, made Denmark feel a little more personable to many expats. An international import himself, funny man Conrad Molden has successfully carved out a niche for himself on the Danish stand-up scene, but it’s taken a solid 13 years, much trial and error, and heaps of Danglish

  • Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    Volunteer Night 2025: when volunteering rimes with integrating

    On Wednesday, April 30, from 17:00 to 20:00, Studenterhuset will host Volunteer Night 2025, a free event organized by the organization International House Copenhagen, which goal is to ease the relocation process for newcomers in Denmark

  • The international who shaped Copenhagen

    The international who shaped Copenhagen

    Anna Maria Indrio is one of the most important architects in Denmark, having contributed to shaping Copenhagen into what it is today. Among her best-known projects are the extension of SMK and Arken, as well as the Natural History Museum and the Darwin Centre in London. She moved here 60 years ago, when “Copenhagen was gray and dormant. Predictions suggested it would become depopulated. But putting people at the center changed everything,” she said

  • Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Danish government passes amendment to increase citizenship fee by 50%

    Fees were raised to reflect processing costs and curb repeat applications, creating debate over whether the new charges erect barriers to political participation for internationals.

  • Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    Internationals’ labour contributes 361 billion DKK to Denmark’s GDP, and it is growing strongly every year

    According to a report by the Danish Chamber of Commerce, internationals’ contribution is 12% of the country’s GDP. In 2023, it was 322 billion DKK, and in 2008, it was 136 billion DKK. “Internationals make a gigantic difference in our prosperity and welfare,” comments Morten Langager, the Director of Dansk Erhverv.

  • Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    Inside Denmark’s innovation engine

    With half of its staff being international, the BioInnovation Institute reflects Denmark’s broader transformation into a global innovation hub. But can the country—and Europe—keep up the pace? “If reforms are made now, we can close the gap in ten years,” explains BII’s CEO

Connect club

Connect Club is your gateway to a vibrant programme of events and an international community in Denmark.

Sign up here

Career

Want to advertise your job with CPH Post?

Contact us

Jobs